Etiology, forms, and prognosis of gastrointestinal dysfunction resembling vagal indigestion occurring after surgical correction of right abomasal displacement

The objectives of this study were to determine the etiology and types of va gal indigestion (VI) occurring after right displacement of the abomasum or abomasal volvulus (RDA/AV), and the prognosis for each type. Data of cows p resented for RDA/AV from a retrospective (n = 288) and a prospective (n = 1 32) study were used. Vagal indigestion occurred in 39 and 22 cows in each s tudy, respectively. A necropsy was performed in 29 cases. Gastric compartme nt dilation compatible with VI type III or IV occurred in 23 cases. Am abno rmal gastric wall was detected in 22 cases. Peritonitis was present in 18 c ows. Vagal nerve lesions were present in 5 out of 13 cases studied. Clinica l, hematological, and necropsy results suggested a classification of VI wit h respect to presence or absence of peritonitis. Gastric wall damage, perit onitis and vagal nerve lesions appear important in the etiology. Considerin g peritonitis occurrence, antimicrobial therapy appears necessary in the tr eatment of RDA/AV.